The next day, the 8th Princess Iris-Lestia's group arrived at their destination village.
　From here, they headed further northwest to the border of the Gaiul Empire.
　They also heard that there were several towns and forts between them and the border.

''I guess we'll be saying goodbye to you guys here.

　I was accompanied by a corps of soldiers, said Mr. Lozzo.

　Iris and I are going to visit the villages near the border and Mr. Rosso will visit the fort.
　It seems that the one led by a person who is skilled in battle will be the one to lead the fort, while the princess will visit the peaceful town.

I don't have any problem with the opposite division of labor.

　Mr. Rosso looked at me as he advanced his horse next to me.

'Whether your highness' party heads for the fort or the demons are out, there will be no danger at all if you're with them.
It's a bit much, sir.
You're the one who instantly killed the Minotaur.
'That is not the point. I can't take your highness to a dangerous place.

　It's been my policy in my previous life to never let my son do anything dangerous.
　If it was possible, I wouldn't have sent Iris on her own territory patrol.

　I thought about letting Iris use her temporary illness to go patrolling the territory on her own, but she refused to do so.

''I'll do my job as a proper princess until I become My Lord's wife.

　Iris said.
　'You're getting splendid. Alice.
　As a teacher in a previous life, I'm very happy to see you.
　Now, as long as you can fix your instincts and the way you think, I don't have much to say about it.

Yuki-sama........may I have a word?

　I suddenly realized that Iris was beckoning me to the carriage parked at the entrance of the village.
　At the head of the procession, the soldiers were talking to the villagers.
　It would be some time before we could find a place to stay.
　I left my horse with the soldiers and climbed into the carriage.

"What can I do for you, Your Highness?
The guards have reported in. Soldiers from a nearby fort seem to be coming to the village.
The soldiers in the fort?
Yes. They said they were waiting for me and Mr. Rosso-Burns' party to arrive here.

　Iris said with a serious face.

''But as a princess, I have to talk to the village chief. I'm sorry, My Lord. Could you go talk to him on my behalf?''
Yeah, I don't mind.

　Iris' role is to go around the territory near the border of the Empire with her soldiers.
　By showing the princess, it is to let the people know that 'the royal family will always protect the people'.
　It's the job of me and the soldiers to hear from the villagers.

''As for me, I feel very uncomfortable, like I'm using My Lord...''
Don't worry about it. Formality is important to the royal family, right?　I mean, it's like the royal family is working with prestige and authority.
.....

　Iris held her mouth and laughed.

'Really, when you talk to My Lord, it doesn't seem to matter that you're trapped in the royal family...'
That's because I lived for 200 years in a previous life. I've heard all kinds of stories of small nations falling and big ones being replaced.

　I, and hopefully both Iris and Martha, will be living for a long time to come.
　Maybe we'll even see the current Liestier Kingdom and the Gaiul Empire disappear.

　
　If the country disappears, all sorts of things will be a hassle. Disputes over succession, power struggles, and so on.

Well, I'm out of here. I'll talk to Mr. Lozzo and I'll tell him all about it.
Nice to meet you. My Lord.

　And so I entered the village ahead of Iris.




'In fact, suspicious demons began to appear around the fort.

　A soldier in armor said.

　The chief offered his house as a place for discussion.
　Now, that's where me, Rosso-san and the soldiers of the fort are gathering.

　The soldier of the fort has a tense look on his face.
　He was originally going to head to King's Landing to seek help.
　On the way there, he noticed Iris and Rosso-san's troops and decided to talk to them directly.

''We are also out to defeat them, but due to the powerful demons, we are not strong enough, and therefore...''
That's why... what's going on?

　Mr. Lozzo asked.
　The soldier in the fort stammered, but after a moment, he opened his mouth.

While we're fumbling, the mysterious knights are taking down the demons.
Mysterious Order?
Yes, sir. There are more than a dozen of them. They're all on horseback. They are all covered in armor. They can't see their faces because they are wearing helmets. Even if you call to him, he disappears like the wind.
Let me get this straight. Is this side of the border where the demon appears? Or is it on the other side of the border?
'Both. More often than not, though, they come out on the side of the kingdom.
It's strange, isn't it? Powerful demons and mysterious knights.
Therefore, I was going to King's Landing to ask you to investigate. On the way, I stopped in this village and learned that the company of His Royal Highness Prince Iris and Rosso-Burns was approaching. I thought it would be better to speak to them directly.

　After finishing his report, the soldier in the fort sighed with relief.

'What do you think?　Yuki-Glossariado.

　Mr. Lozzo looked at me.

'Could it be a giant-class demon that has appeared in the border area?

　I asked.

'How did you know?!

　He was surprised.
　I guess I was right.

　A while back, we fought a big minotaur.
　And before that, we fought an armed ogre.
　There was a Giant Ogre on the third level of the dungeon.

When you get close to the Sanctuary Church or anything related to the Empire, a huge demon will appear.
　It's possible that something exists in this era that can create such monsters.
　It could be 'ancient magic' or 'ancient artifacts' that make the demons huge.

　It's still just my imagination, though. This is.
　However, I should tell Rosso-san about this information just in case.

"This is what happened when we fought the 'Beast King's Horseman' in the Torrius territory before...

　I told Mr. Lozo and the soldiers of the fort about the 'armed ogre' and the giant demon.

'I see. "I see. When you get close to the empire, a 'giant monster' appears,

　After he finished listening to the story, Rosso-san nodded.

''Well that's a spooky story. 'This,'
I totally agree.

　I nodded.

　Demons that weren't there two hundred years ago are appearing now.
　I don't know why.
　...It's weird. Somehow.

"My troops will continue to head to the fort near the border.

　After a moment, Mr. Rosso said.

'The man guarding that fort is also an acquaintance of my father ... General Barnes. We can't leave him alone. We were going to head for the fort ourselves anyway, you know.
Are you going to fight a demon?
No, we'll just have to wait and see. We'll have to wait and see. If we go there as reinforcements, everyone in the fort will be more motivated. It's a good idea to buy some time before full-scale reinforcements arrive from the capital. Of course, we're going to send messengers to the capital as well.

　The soldiers from the fort are going to go to the royal capital as this as emissaries.
　Mr. Lozzo is going to attach a horse to it and some of his men.

'I understand. Please take care of yourself.
Don't worry. I don't want to be reckless. I want to be just like my father. That's why I'm going to live to be that age.

　Mr. Lozzo stroked his chin (chin) and laughed.
　The gesture was just like General Barnes. I knew it, you and I are father and son.

　Father and son, eh?
　.........How nice.

　It's great to have a child living in the same time period.
　It's hard when they die before you do...

And the rest of the people in Feera Village... are already gone.
　It's a good thing that Iris, Roderea, Natasha and Ofelia are here at this time.
　Really.

I'll leave as soon as I'm ready. Of course, I will greet His Highness Iris before I go. Could you please tell His Highness that?
Okay. Mr. Lozzo.

　After that conversation, we left the village chief's house.
　Mr. Rosso walks out to the unit he has led.
　The unit is several dozen men, including cavalry and infantry. There are dozens of soldiers in the fort as well, which means that the number of troops will be doubled.
　Then they should be fine.
　He himself said that he doesn't intend to fight a giant monster.
　This isn't something I have to worry about, is it?
　I'm sure you're right... No. I'm sure you're right.

"Goshujinjian.

　I had Dick the bat on my shoulder.
　...What timing. He's yawning like he's bored.
　I can't imagine what you've been through today. I'm bored. If you say so.

Sorry, Dick. Go with Mr. Lozzo.
'Yes, yes, yes!'
You can call me if you need anything.
'I've been to a bookstore. I'm your mentor.

　Here we go.
　I'm indebted to General Barnes. Let's get this over with.
　We've had enough of this.
　I don't feel the need to get involved in Mr. Lozano's business by making too many moves.
　...yes.

Welcome back. My Lord.

　Iris was waiting in the quarters that the villagers had prepared for her.
　It seems that the villagers were thoughtful enough to prepare the largest house for her.
　It has many rooms.
　There is also a warehouse attached to the house. Even if you put a carriage in, there is enough space for a carriage.

　We need to stock up on food for the winter in these remote villages.
We had a large warehouse in the village of Fira. I guess it's the same with this village.
　It's huge.
　This place is about the size of my old castle and my secret room.

Can I help you?　My Lord.
Your Highness. No, Your Highness Iris, I need to ask you a favor.
Yes. What is it?
Can I take the warehouse next door?　Soldiers, you can't come in here.
Of course. No problem. I'll let everyone know.
Sorry.
'It's nothing. Because that's what My Lord needs (...), isn't it?

　Iris nodded with a straight face.
　'You're really good at guessing.

'Yeah. You might need it.
I hope it's nothing.
Yeah.

　Then me and Iris sat in the chairs and drank our tea.
　Really, I hope it's nothing.